Patentable/Patents/US-9635193
US-9635193

Document reading device

PublishedApril 25, 2017
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

Provided is a document reading device that can cause an image processing part to execute automatically image processing operations corresponding to respective plural functions, depending on a document mounting condition on a platen without performing a setting operation on a panel part. A system control part causes a document detection sensor to detect a part (periphery) of the document. The image processing operations corresponding to respective plural functions are made on image data of the document read by a scanner part. Further, when the platen cover plate open-close detection sensor detects that the platen cover plate is closed, the image processing part is allowed to execute a function that is assigned to the document detection part that has read the document.

Patent Claims
6 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 1

Original Legal Text

1. A document reading device comprising: a scanner part that is configured to read a document mounted on a platen; an image processing part that is configured to execute image processing operations, which depends on respective plural functions, on image data of the read document; plural document detection sensors which are arranged at a periphery of the platen, the plural document detection sensors being assigned respectively to one or more of the plural functions; a platen cover plate open-close detection sensor that is configured to detect an open and close movement of the a platen cover plate that is configured to cover the platen; a system control part that is configured to: when any one of the plural document detection sensors detects the document, distinguish which of the plural document detection sensors detects the document; and cause the image processing part to execute, when the platen cover plate open-close detection sensor detects that the platen cover plate is closed, the one or more of the plural functions which corresponds to the document detection sensor that detects the document; and a panel part displaying the functions to which the plural document detection sensors are respectively assigned; wherein a plurality of the plural functions can be assigned to each of the document detection sensors; the document reading device can be logged into by a plurality of users based on respective log-in identifications (‘IDs’); and the functions to which the plural document detection sensors are respectively assigned are changed based on the log-in ID of a logged in user.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device automatically processes scanned documents based on document placement, without requiring panel adjustments. It has a scanner to read documents on a platen. An image processor applies functions like copying or faxing, based on image data from the scanner. Multiple sensors around the platen are each assigned to one or more functions. A sensor detects whether the platen cover is open or closed. When a document sensor detects a document and the cover is closed, the system control part activates the functions assigned to that specific sensor. The panel displays function assignments. Multiple functions can be assigned to each sensor. The device supports multiple users, where function assignments change based on the logged-in user's ID.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The document reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the system control part, when any one of the plural document detection sensors detects the part of the document, determines whether or not a specified time elapses and after the specified time elapses determines whether or not the platen cover plate open-close detection sensor detects that the platen cover plate is closed.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device from the previous description includes a system control part that adds a delay before activating functions. Specifically, after a document sensor detects the document edge, the system waits a specified time. Only after this time elapses does the system check if the platen cover is closed using a sensor. This prevents immediate activation of functions and allows time for document adjustment. This delay improves usability and reduces accidental function triggering by only proceeding when the cover is closed *after* the document has been detected for some time.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The document reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the plural document detection sensors are arranged at four corners of the platen.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device from the first description utilizes document detection sensors arranged at the four corners of the platen. This specific placement allows the device to effectively detect the presence and approximate size of a document placed on the platen. The sensors trigger function execution such as copy, scan, fax or user box functions based on the logged in user’s ID and the condition of the platen cover.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The document reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the panel part comprises a setting screen which is provided for various settings and displays an operation button, wherein the operation button of the setting screen assigns either one of the functions to either one of the document detection sensors.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device from the first description incorporates a panel with a setting screen that lets users customize the function assignments to each sensor. This panel includes an operation button that the user can select to assign a function (e.g., copy, scan to email) to a specific document detection sensor. This customization allows users to tailor the device's behavior according to their specific needs. The setting screen displays various settings related to the function assignments and other device configurations.

Claim 5

Original Legal Text

5. The document reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the platen cover plate open-close detection sensor is positioned in the vicinity of the platen.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device from the first description includes a sensor to detect the state of platen cover (open or closed). This sensor is positioned near the platen. This placement allows for accurate and timely detection of cover's position. Because the cover sensor is located close to the platen, it accurately detects whether the cover is sealed closed so the selected document processing function can proceed.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The document reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the plural functions include a copy function, a printer function, a FAX function, and a user box function.

Plain English Translation

The document reading device from the first description, can perform multiple functions and assign them to the sensors: specifically, the plural functions include a copy function (makes a direct copy of the document), a printer function (sends the document data to a printer), a FAX function (sends the document as a fax), and a user box function (saves the scanned document to a user-specific storage location on the device). Each of these functions can be associated with one or more document detection sensors, enabling users to quickly access frequently used operations by simply placing a document on the platen.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

February 27, 2016

Publication Date

April 25, 2017

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